• Integrates historical data with the epidemiology, prevalence, and prognosis of the most common conditions

A comprehensive and inspiring introduction to the timeless art of history-taking, The Patient History presents the fundamental principles that guide this process and enable health care professionals to establish the differential diagnosis for a given symptom.

FEATURES:

• Offers a patient-centered approach to the medical history by emphasizing symptoms rather than diseases

• Applies principles of evidence-based medicine to the clinical history

• Illustrates the history-taking process through the discussion of 60 common clinical symptoms, such as dizziness, weight loss, dyspnea, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, low back pain, memory loss, and anxiety

• Includes diagnostic approach algorithms to summarize important concepts

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Sally Ling, M.D.;FACP(University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine)Description:This is a well organized and comprehensive book that teaches a systematic approach to the establishment of a differential diagnosis by maximizing the information that can be collected and developed from a patient's history.Purpose:The history is used to establish a differential diagnosis based upon the patient's presenting symptom. Principles of evidence-based medicine are applied to bridge the art and science of the history-taking component of the diagnostic process. This not only leads to the effective use of one's time, but equally importantly, to a much more enriched interaction with the patient.Audience:This book is ideal for medical students, housestaff, and any clinicians dedicated to refining their skills in this area.Features:The background information nicely and succinctly covers the artistry of the patient interview, as well as basic concepts of the evidence-based approach to clinical decision making. The body of the book covers symptoms, the associated differential diagnoses, prevalence data, alarm symptoms and likelihood ratios, and diagnostic approach, often with accompanying algorithms.Assessment:Students will find this book very useful in guiding them through the common presenting symptoms that bring patients to medical attention. By systematically reviewing the information attained to formulate a differential diagnosis, taking into account prevalence data, associated causes, likelihood ratios of alarm symptoms and such, students will cultivate the discipline helping them to perform at the highest level.